Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein speaking at LSE, 14th October 2002

Naomi Klein Warsaw Nov. 19 2008 Fot Mariusz Kubik 03

Nation 150th in Seattle - Naomi Klein 05A (22198412286) (2)

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Naomi Klein Occupy Wall Street 2011 Shankbone 2

Naomi Klein is a Canadian author, social activist, and filmmaker known for her criticism of corporate globalization and capitalism. Born on May 8, 1970, in Montreal, Quebec, Klein has become a significant figure in the anti-globalization movement, with her work focusing on environmentalism, economic policies, and human rights.

Early Life and Education

Klein was born into a politically active family; her parents were American expatriates who moved to Canada in protest of the Vietnam War. She grew up influenced by her family's activism and pursued her education at the University of Toronto, although she did not complete her degree. During her time at university, Klein became involved in journalism and editing the student newspaper, which sparked her interest in investigative journalism and political issues.

Career

Klein's career as a writer and activist took off with the publication of her first book, No Logo (1999), which became an international bestseller and a manifesto of the anti-globalization movement. In No Logo, Klein criticizes multinational corporations for their unethical practices, including labor exploitation and environmental destruction, and discusses the resistance against brand-dominated culture.

Following the success of No Logo, Klein continued to explore issues related to capitalism, corporate power, and global politics in her subsequent works. Her 2007 book, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, argues that neoliberal economic policies have been implemented across the world through the exploitation of disaster-stricken societies, a process she terms "disaster capitalism." The book received widespread acclaim and further established Klein as a key critic of neoliberalism.

Klein's concern for environmental issues is evident in her 2014 book, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate. In it, she argues that the climate crisis cannot be solved without addressing the failures of the current economic system, advocating for a more equitable, sustainable approach to environmental policy.

In addition to her writing, Klein has been involved in various social and environmental campaigns and has contributed to the creation of documentaries that align with her activism. She is a co-founder of The Leap, an organization advocating for systemic social and ecological change.

Personal Life

Klein is married to Avi Lewis, a documentary filmmaker and TV journalist. They have collaborated on several projects that align with their shared interests in social justice and environmental issues.

Legacy and Impact

Naomi Klein's work has had a significant impact on discussions around globalization, capitalism, and environmentalism. Her critical analysis and call for systemic change have influenced both the public discourse and the activism landscape. Klein's contributions to the anti-globalization movement and her advocacy for a more just and sustainable world continue to inspire activists and scholars alike.